Is It a UFO? Some Common Causes Behind Mysterious Lights in the Sky
Alien Life & UFO/UAPs
Thursday 3rd, April 2025
3 minute read.
Reports of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) have long fascinated the public, but many such sightings can often be attributed to identifiable objects or natural phenomena. Recent incidents in Ireland have once again sparked debate over mysterious lights in the night sky, with experts and enthusiasts offering various explanations.
Around 19th March 2025, people across Ireland reported seeing unusual flashing objects. On the Tuesday night, a single bright light was observed off the south coast, while on the Wednesday, two flashing objects appeared side by side over Dublin. Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather shared videos of the sightings on social media, asking followers for their thoughts.
Social media users were quick to offer suggestions, with many pointing to the International Space Station (ISS) or Starlink satellites as the likely explanation.
"Low-orbit satellites are very common. I’ve seen three or four in a row passing over Dublin, probably Starlink satellites", one user commented. Another added, "It's the International Space Station. It moves incredibly fast. I was freaked out the first time I saw it without knowing what it was."
The ISS, which orbits Earth at approximately 28,000 kilometres per hour, is often visible as a bright, fast moving object. According to reports, the station passed over Ireland at 19:13 on the Tuesday, which coincides with the timing of the sightings.
One observer confirmed,
Others suggested the lights could be Starlink satellites, a growing constellation launched by SpaceX to provide global internet coverage. With over 7,000 currently in orbit, these satellites frequently appear as a series of moving lights in the night sky.
However, not everyone was convinced by the satellite theory. Some believed the lights could have been airborne lanterns or other man-made objects.
One person remarked, "They often turn out to be flying lanterns. They look very strange from a distance". Another noted, "I saw a bright orange light south of Celbridge. I thought it was a lantern, but it didn’t seem to be moving much".
The term "UFO" has been widely used for years to describe any unexplained object in the sky. However, in recent years, governments and military bodies have adopted the term "Unidentified Aerial Phenomena" (UAP) to cover a broader range of sightings, including those detected by radar or various other sensors.
While UFO/UAP sightings continue to capture public interest, the vast majority can be explained by misidentification of satellites, aircraft, atmospheric conditions, or other natural occurrences. For those eager to identify celestial objects, astronomy apps and online satellite tracking tools offer a way to distinguish between an extraordinary event and a predictable phenomenon.
Around 19th March 2025, people across Ireland reported seeing unusual flashing objects. On the Tuesday night, a single bright light was observed off the south coast, while on the Wednesday, two flashing objects appeared side by side over Dublin. Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather shared videos of the sightings on social media, asking followers for their thoughts.
"I received two videos from followers showing an unusual object in the sky over the last two nights. The first part is from last night over Dublin, and the second is from the night before off the south coast," he wrote. "Does anyone have any ideas?"
Social media users were quick to offer suggestions, with many pointing to the International Space Station (ISS) or Starlink satellites as the likely explanation.
"Low-orbit satellites are very common. I’ve seen three or four in a row passing over Dublin, probably Starlink satellites", one user commented. Another added, "It's the International Space Station. It moves incredibly fast. I was freaked out the first time I saw it without knowing what it was."
The ISS, which orbits Earth at approximately 28,000 kilometres per hour, is often visible as a bright, fast moving object. According to reports, the station passed over Ireland at 19:13 on the Tuesday, which coincides with the timing of the sightings.
One observer confirmed,
"I received a notification that the International Space Station was passing, so I went outside and saw it clearly. Later, I got another notification and saw it again!"
Others suggested the lights could be Starlink satellites, a growing constellation launched by SpaceX to provide global internet coverage. With over 7,000 currently in orbit, these satellites frequently appear as a series of moving lights in the night sky.
However, not everyone was convinced by the satellite theory. Some believed the lights could have been airborne lanterns or other man-made objects.
One person remarked, "They often turn out to be flying lanterns. They look very strange from a distance". Another noted, "I saw a bright orange light south of Celbridge. I thought it was a lantern, but it didn’t seem to be moving much".
The term "UFO" has been widely used for years to describe any unexplained object in the sky. However, in recent years, governments and military bodies have adopted the term "Unidentified Aerial Phenomena" (UAP) to cover a broader range of sightings, including those detected by radar or various other sensors.
While UFO/UAP sightings continue to capture public interest, the vast majority can be explained by misidentification of satellites, aircraft, atmospheric conditions, or other natural occurrences. For those eager to identify celestial objects, astronomy apps and online satellite tracking tools offer a way to distinguish between an extraordinary event and a predictable phenomenon.
